Tree Removal and Tree Care Cost Guide
Most single-tree removals on a residential property cost from a few hundred dollars to about two thousand, with the typical job in the high hundreds. A small tree in an open yard sits at the bottom of that range, while a tall tree over a house, or one that needs a crane, can cost several times more.
Tree work is priced by risk and effort, not just by size. Two trees of the same height can differ by thousands depending on what is beneath them, whether wires are close and whether a truck can reach the spot. Cleanup also matters: chipping, hauling, firewood cutting and stump grinding are often separate lines.
The ranges below show what published guides report for typical jobs. Use them to judge whether a written quote is in a sensible area, not as a price list, since local labour, permits and the condition of the tree move the final number.
Typical price ranges
- Tree removal, typical residential (US)US$200 to US$2,000
A single tree, most under 80 feet, with average access and no crane.
- Tree removal, small to medium (Canada)C$350 to C$1,500
A single tree in a residential yard, roughly under 40 feet, cleanup arranged separately.
- Tree trimming per visit (US)US$200 to US$760
Pruning one or a few trees, including normal cleanup of the cut branches.
- Stump grinding per stump (US)US$150 to US$525
A residential stump, often priced by diameter, with a minimum visit fee.
- Stump grinding per stump (Canada)C$120 to C$600
A residential stump of ordinary width, before hauling away chips.
- Emergency storm removal (US)US$900 to US$6,000
A tree on a structure or blocking access, with after-hours or crane work possible.
Typical 2025-2026 ranges compiled from published cost guides, including Angi, This Old House and HomeAdvisor for US prices, and Experts.ca and HomeStars for Canadian prices. Many guides are contractor-run and sources differ, so treat these as broad starting points, and expect local quotes to vary.
What drives the cost
- Height and trunk size
- Larger trees take longer to cut and rig, and produce far more wood to deal with.
- What is underneath
- Houses, wires, pools and fences require slower, section by section work.
- Access
- A tree behind a house with no truck access means hand carrying and long chipper runs.
- Method and equipment
- Climbing, bucket truck and crane each have different costs and suit different jobs.
- Condition of the tree
- Dead or rotten trees can be brittle and more dangerous, which slows the work.
- Cleanup choices
- Hauling wood, cutting firewood, chipping and stump grinding all change the total.
- Permits
- Where a permit or an arborist report is needed, the fees and paperwork add cost and time.
- Timing
- Storm demand and after-hours calls push prices higher, while a quiet season can be cheaper.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Get at least three written quotes with the same scope so you can compare line by line
- Book planned work such as pruning in the off season, rather than waiting for a crisis
- Group several trees and stumps into one visit to share set-up costs
- Ask about leaving the wood or chips on site if you can use them
- Treat small problems early, since a dead limb is cheaper to remove than a tree that falls on a roof
Cost questions
How much does it cost to remove a tree?
Published guides put most residential tree removals between a few hundred dollars and about two thousand, with a typical job in the high hundreds. Large trees near buildings, trees needing a crane and emergency jobs cost more, so the written quote is the number that counts.
Is stump grinding included in tree removal?
Not always. Many quotes list it separately, and some companies charge by the inch of stump diameter. Ask whether grinding is included, how deep it goes and what happens to the chips.
Why do tree service quotes differ so much?
Quotes can cover different scopes: removal method, cleanup, stump work and permits. A low price that leaves the wood and the stump is not the same as a higher price that clears everything, so compare itemized quotes.
Does home insurance cover tree removal?
Often when a tree damages a structure or blocks access, and less often when it falls on open ground. Read your policy and talk to your insurer before work starts, and keep photos of the tree and the damage.
Get a written price for your job
Fill out the quote form with your city and a short description of the tree. A local specialist follows up to look at the job and give you a written quote. Free to request, no obligation.